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 CLASSICS FOR CANADIAN CHILDREN. 
 
 , < 
 
 No. II. 
 
 STORIES 
 
 FROM 
 
 ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 PRICE 10 CENTS. 
 
 A. & VV. MACKINLAY, 
 
 HALIFAX, N. S. 
 
 1901, 
 
Entered for Copyriuht in the OJice of the Minister 
 
 of Agriculture, according to Act of Parliament of 
 
 Canada, by A. fie \V. JUckinlav, 1900. 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 ALFRED THE GREAT, 
 
 Alfred the Great was a young man, two-and- 
 twenty years of age, when he became king. This 
 great king, in the first year of his reign, fought 
 nine battles with the Danes. He made some 
 treaties with them too, by which the false Danes 
 swore that fV ^y would quit the country. They 
 pretended to consider that they had taken a very 
 solemn oath, in swearing this upon the holy 
 bracelets that they wore, and which were always 
 buried with them when they died ; but they cared 
 little for it, for they thought nothing of breaking 
 oaths and treaties too, as soon as it suited their 
 purpose, and coming back to fight, plunder and 
 burn, as usual. One fatal winter, in the fourth 
 year of King Alfred's reign, they spread themselves 
 in great numbers over the whole of England ; and 
 so dispersed and routed the King's soldiers that 
 the King was left alone, and was obliged to 
 disguise himself as a common peasant, and to take 
 retuge in the cottage of one of his cowherds who 
 did not know his face. 
 
 Here, King Alfred, while the Danes sought 
 him far and wide was left alone one day, by the 
 cowherd's wife, to watch some cakes which she 
 
4 STOR„,s K..OM KN«U.S„ ,„„„«v. 
 
 put to bake upon tlic hearth H,„ h • 
 upon UH bow a„U a.ows !ith ILhZV 1'' 
 pun.sh the false Danes when J ^ ''"' '° 
 should come anrf „ ^ , . ''^"'" « ''nfthter time 
 
 unhappy s"bi'e=^ whl'""'"! ''"P'>' "' "'^ Poor 
 the S. h.^ nobre ^nd f " ^"'' "'™"«" 
 they were burnt! ■ What T'- ,"? """' ^"'^ 
 wife, who scolded him n ,'*"'""= cwherd's 
 and little thought she" '" '"^ ^"'"^ '»^''' 
 
 "you will be ;?'; enouJh'L"""!;'"^ "" ''"'*^' 
 
 an'^yetyoucanno^rifrhr^X'T""-^^' 
 
 agafnlt a^w h:t: 0^^'"' "">" "'^'^ "^--^ 
 coast ; killedthe cLeta":d "''° ''"""" °" ""='^ 
 on whieh was represtttd^e EL^^!':;''^^- 
 
 '^anes .reatly.tr tt tLt'edlt br"^ ''' 
 -woven by the three daughters of nn/T^""'"'' 
 smgle afternoon-and thfy had ^ , '" '^ 
 
 themselves tlia> when fh„ ^'"'^ ^"'""S 
 
 the Raven stretc dh^^;^^ -'"--n battle^ 
 
 and that, when they were deffldt ''"""' '° "^ ' 
 He had good r,-ason ,n H ' ''^ '^°"''' ''~°P- 
 
 have done anyfh n^ h.If °°'' "°"' '' "^ =°"'<i 
 Alfred joined th of.otL" nTe"'"' 'J"' '''"^ 
 with them on a piece of fi ' "^''^ ^ <=*"'? 
 
STORIES FROM KN'tJLISir HISTORY. 5 
 
 «:reat attempt for vcn^'eanceon the Danes, and the 
 deliverance of his oppressed people. 
 
 But, first, as i* was important to know how 
 numerous those pestilent Danes were, and how 
 they were fortified, Kinnr Alfred, bcin^ a f^ood 
 musician, disguised himself as a gleeman or 
 ministrel, and went, with his harp, to the Danish 
 Camp. He played and sang in the very tent of 
 Guthrum the Danish leader, and entertained the 
 Danes as they caroused. While he seemed to 
 think of nothing but his music, he was watchful of 
 their tents, their arms, their discipline, everything 
 that he desired to know. And right soon did this 
 great King entertain them to a different tune, for, 
 summoning all his true followers to meet him at an 
 appointed place, where they received him with 
 joyful shouts and tears, as the monarch whom 
 many of them had given up for lost or dead, he 
 t himself at their head, marched on the Danish 
 Lai.ip, defeated the Danes with great slaughter and 
 besieged them for fourteen days to prevent their 
 escape. But, being as merciful as he was good 
 and brave, he then, instead of killing them, pro- 
 posed peace, on condition that they should alto- 
 gether depart from that part of England, and settle 
 in the Kast ; and that Guthrum should become a 
 Christian, in remembrance of the Divine religion 
 which now taught his conquercr, the noble Alfred, 
 
6 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 ™/g1"" "":-7 T '^^ ^° °f"=" injured him. 
 This Guthrum did. At his baptism King Alfred 
 
 was h,s godfather, and Guthrum was an hcfo^able 
 
 chief who well deserved that clemency ; for ever 
 
 afterwards he was loyal and faithful to'^;he K^ng 
 
 The Danes under him were faithful, ,00. They 
 
 plundered and burned no more, but worked like 
 
 hones men They ploughed and sowed and 
 
 aZ1\T' !r\r'' '■°"^" E"S"^h lives 
 And I hope the children of those Danes played 
 many a tmie with Saxon children in the sunn; 
 fiJds, and that Danish young men fell in love 
 *uh Saxon g.rls, and married them, and that 
 Hnghsh travellers, benighted at the doors of 
 Danish cottages, often went in for shelter until 
 morning ; and that Danes and Saxons sat by the 
 red fire, friends, talking of King Alfred the Great. 
 All the Danes were not like those under 
 Guthrum ,• for, after some years, more of them 
 came over, in the old plundering and burning way 
 -among them a fierce pirate of the name of 
 Hastmgs, who had the boldness ,0 sail up the 
 
 2::z:: ?r '''"'■ -■«' e%h.y ship. %o 
 
 m ee year,, there was a war with these Danes • 
 plague, both upon human creatures and beasts 
 h.m, built Urge .liips nevertheless, with which to 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 7 
 
 pursue the pirates on the sea, and he encouraged 
 his soldiers, by his brave example, to fight 
 vah'antly against them on the shore. At last, he 
 drove them all away ; then there was repose in 
 England. 
 
 As great and good in peace, as he was great 
 and good in war, King Alfred never rested from 
 his labours to improve his people. He loved to 
 talk with clever men, and with travellers from 
 foreign countries, and write down what they told 
 him, for his people to read. He had studied Latin 
 after learning to read English, and now another 
 of his labours was to translate Latin books into 
 the English-Saxon tongue, that his people might 
 be interested, and improved by their contents. He 
 made just laws, that they might live more happily 
 and freely ; he turned away all partial judges that 
 no wrong might be done them ; he was so careful 
 of their property, and punished robbers so severely, 
 that it was a common thing to say that under the 
 great King Alfred, garlands of golden chains and 
 jewels might have hung across the street, and no 
 man would have touched one. He founded 
 schools, he patiently heard causes himself in his 
 Court of Justice ; the great desires of his heart 
 were, to do right to all his subjects, and to leave 
 England better, wiser and happier in all ways 
 than he found it. His industry in these efforts 
 
 :.-; ^^^li^V; ■•V'-rf ■ '.:r,-.-s.; 
 
° STORIES FROM ir«o. 
 
 "ROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 was quite astonishing. Everv ,1, u .. 
 certain portions, and in ealh ^ ' '''^"'*'' '"*° 
 -'f'o a certain purs^t ^ThThT ''^T"™" 
 his time exactly he h,rl ""^'" '"^'de 
 
 ™ade. Which weLt, he sT":"'" " ^^"'''- 
 across at regular distances and '''' "T' "°"'^''^ 
 burning. Thus as IT' J "^ ^'«'^>'S kept 
 
 divided^the da; i^to „ ,er >" '""' '°^"' "' 
 as we do now divide H^tfL '' ^" accurately 
 
 But, when the candle were «"? "''°" '*" '='°*' 
 found that the wind and H T ■"^'"'"''' " "-as 
 ■•"'o 'he palace thrtu" hTt" °' t' "'""'"^ 
 -d through the chinkf in^^e :"ns" "'."''°'^''- 
 o gutter and burn unequallv T ' "^""^ "'^'" 
 King had them put into <^ ^ r ^''^'"' '^''- ">« 
 -hite horn. A n'd i^es:rerrth T'","' ""«' -'^ 
 niade in England. ^^ ^'^^ '«"'«™s ever 
 
 unwi'';:i,w\;:r:a'"''TK"'''' ^ '-"•"« 
 
 f-quentpain that no^hi'/'Td r "°'^"' -" 
 "' as he had borne all the ^ t '"'''"• "« bore 
 - brave, good man "ntit h™""'^^ "' >"•' '"e, like 
 old; and then having re'nttr '^^'^""^^e years 
 He died in the year n^rh '^'7^^^^^' ^edied. 
 '°"S ago as tha^ is ";/.'"'"'' ^cd and one ; but, 
 
 g-'itude with whic^ Z Z"' '"' "^ '°^« -"d 
 -e freshly remembe d to thetf T^"^" ''""' 
 Under the great Alf i .'^ ^^"' ''°"'-- 
 
 '^eE„g,i3h.SaforchS;t:1rs:"'"-"^<'^ 
 
 were hrst encouraged 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 9 
 
 and in him first shown. It has been the greatest 
 character among the nations of the earth. Wher- 
 ever the descendants of the Saxon race have gone, 
 have sailed, or otherwise made their way, even to 
 the remotest regions of the world, they have been 
 patient, persevering, never to be broken in spirit, 
 never to be turned aside from enterprises on which 
 they have resolved. In Europe, Asia, Africa, 
 America, the whole world over ; in the desert, in 
 the forest, on the sea ; scorched by a burning sun, 
 or frozen by ice that never melts ; the Saxon blood 
 remains unchanged. Wheresoever that race goes, 
 there law and industry and safety for life and pro- 
 perty, and all the great results of stead> persever- 
 ance, are certain to arise. 
 
 I pause to think with admiration of the noble 
 king who, in his single person, possessed all the 
 Saxon virtues. Whom misfortune could not sub- 
 due, whom prosperity could not spoil, whose 
 perseverance nothing could shake. Who was 
 hopeful in defeat and generous in success. Who 
 loved justice, freedom, truth and knowledge. 
 Who, in his care to instruct his people, probably 
 did more to preserve the beautiful old Saxon 
 language, than I can imagine. Without whom, 
 the English tongue in which I tell this story, might 
 have wanted half its meaning. As it is said that 
 his spirit still inspires some of our best English 
 laws ; so let you and me pray that it may animate 
 
'° "°''"=^ ^«°« -NOUSH „,srORV. 
 
 °"/ English hearts, at least to this ,„ , 
 
 when we see any of o„r f„M ""'—"' resolve, 
 
 ■•ff"orance,.hatwewmdo/ 7"^^'^'"™" '«f' '" 
 "=. to have themteu'hf .'-'"'''■'" "''^'■^'■" 
 «hose duty i Ts to tT ' t"'' '° "^" "-"^^ ^"'ers 
 
 'heirUut/tL^r/hTv ;i^"'' r "^^'- 
 the years that have roltd aw/ ""^ '""" "^ ^" 
 hundred and one • and ,h TT ""'" "'^ ^'^^'^ "'"e 
 bH.ht e.an,p,e :/ ,-^'^^0^ t'!^'"-"'' '"e 
 
 Charles Dickexs. 
 
 NoTK -.^ Stat r r. " ^'^''"'' ^''"^ "-^ ^«^/««^." 
 
 -t Wa,ua,.e. i„ BllUle^^'^At'";^/?^ ^"-^^^ '^ ''-n erected 
 following, inscription: " Alfred fo /T °^ "^^ ^^''''"^ ^ ^he 
 -stored it. EducH,io„ ne^e ed :"d , '■"'"^' '^^^' ^^ '- 
 J— less, and he .^ave tifen, f^l 't^ Tr^'^ ''■ ''^^ ^-v^ 
 !" --d it. The land ravaged bTa I r 7 "' '*'^^^^' -'^ 
 he dehvered it. Alfreds „al „S l"/ " "'""^ ' '^^"^ -''ich 
 ••espect tl,e past." Oct. .^,11 ' '^■■: '^"8" ''^^ "^'-^"kind shnlJ 
 versary of Kin^ Alfred's death. ' '^'"' '' '^^ 'f'°"-^^ndth anni- 
 
 The Usr Sr.™ op the Ekoush. 
 coveXtrfie;: mt f '^■■'"■^"'•^ --^-^'^ host, 
 
 'he.ra;hon-fot'cr:^' ir.-r::::.^''-''' 
 
 -to a„ 3,-des of the entre;:,;™^; "'""' "^""'^ 
 - =■>' h.s heavy a^'ed'frsSre^-a'n'd^ 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 II 
 
 archers, to open the way through the palisades, 
 the sorties from which had now been carefully 
 closed. 
 
 As they came up the hills, Harold turned to 
 Haco and said: "Where is thy battle-axe?" 
 "Harold," answered Haco, with more than his 
 usual tone of sombre sadness, " I desire now to be 
 thy shield bearer, for thou must use thine axe with 
 both hands while the day lasts, and thy shield is 
 useless. Wherefore, thou strike, and I will shield 
 thee." 
 
 " Thou lovest me, then, son of S\ve_^ n ; I have 
 sometimes doubted it." 
 
 " I love thee as the best part of my life, and 
 with thy life ceases mine ; it is my heart that my 
 shield guards when it covers the breast of Harold." 
 
 " I would bid thee live, poor youth," whispered 
 Harold : "but what were life if this day were lost ? 
 Happy, then, will those be who die." 
 
 Scarce had the words left his lips ere he sprang- 
 to the breast-works, and with a sudden sweep of 
 his axe, down dropped a helm that peered above 
 them. But helm after helm succeeds. Now they 
 come on, swarm upon swarm, as wolves on a 
 traveller, as bears round a bark. Countless, 
 amidst their carnage, on they come ! The arrows 
 of the Normans blacken the air ; with deadly pre- 
 cision, to each arm, each limb, each front exposed 
 
above the bulwarks-,vhirrs fh» u . 
 clamber the palisades th 7 ^^^^'- They 
 
 <he Saxon axe nt i '°^"'°''f^" dead under 
 
 •"e n.ght of H; "rt f h"" °" '• ^^'" '^ 
 -•^h. in every SaxonTere ' Tt" / "^^'^'^ 
 breast-worlcs is forced ;! ' ^'^^ ^^ °f 
 
 crushed down, cumbered wUh Th"'; ''"'"■ 
 R°«' HaRou! Notre n , '''=^''- " "^ 
 rounds joyous and sMU t^'l ^'°'^' °^™^ ' " 
 ■eap and charge into t 'c cl^^H^rh T' '"' 
 7 'he great mace of Wm L "'^\"''^«'^ '" 
 
 the Duke. .. On Son! r r '"'^ '^"'' ' " cries 
 
 and Heaven .'" sh'ou^L '"r""" ' ^'^^'-"•°" 
 
 Thefir^K °'"^ "'c vo.ce of Odo. 
 
 -. int t; in'mtv f """-'^^ ^^-- 3"»d- 
 '^-^. intorhe se^ord'e^rr T''- ""'''' 
 and swarm, and fight and '"""= ''"=''• 
 
 'second enclosure f.ves wlv ^'h' ™'" """^ 
 centre of the third-1^ T; "" "°'^ '" 'he 
 Normans, towers pL;; l^^^'; f^^ "^ '"e 
 
 "ys of the westenn. sun h . """'" ''" ">« 
 and bla^tng with ^tj ' ''^'dc-'ed with gold, 
 
 England's kZ, /T/'""' ">« «-darf of 
 
 -serve of the English ttf;:err,hff"^' '"^ 
 had never yet known defeat rf™"' "'"' 
 ine battle-vigorous . ^f,- ^^'■'^'' ">«>' by 
 
 'ound them thT breast wot '"'" ="" ' ^"^ 
 
 oreast-works were thicker, and 
 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 13 
 
 Stronger, and higher, and fastened by chains to 
 pillars of wood and staves of iron, with the wag- 
 ons and carts of the baggage, and piled logs of 
 timber— barricades at which even William paused 
 aghast. 
 
 Before that standard, in the front of the men, 
 stood Gurth and Leofwine and Haco and Harold, 
 the last leaning for rest upon his axe, for he was 
 sorely wounded in many places and the blood 
 oozed through the links of his mail. 
 
 Live, Harold : live yet, and Saxon England 
 shall not die ! 
 
 The English archers had at no time been 
 numerous ; most of them had served with the 
 vanguard, and the shafts of those within the ram- 
 parts were spent ; so that the foe had time to pause 
 and to breathe. The Norman arrows meanwhile 
 flew fast and thick, but William noted to his grief 
 that they struck against the tall breast-works and 
 barricades, and so failed in the slaughter they 
 should inflict. He mused a moment, and sent one 
 of his knights to call to him three of the chiefs of 
 the archers. They were soon at his side. " See 
 ye not," said the Duke, "that your shafts and 
 bolts fall harmless on those osier walls. Shoot in 
 the air ; let the arrow fall perpendicular on those 
 within— fall as the vengeance of the saints falls- 
 direct from heaven I Give me thy bow, archer— 
 
'4 
 
 STORIES FROM ENGUSH HISTORY. 
 
 thus." He drew ,he bow as he sat on his steed • 
 the arrow flashed up, and descended in he heart 
 of the reserve, wi.hin a few feet of the standard 
 
 D„l .. ■ f*"^' ''^"""d be your marlc," said the 
 Uul>e, givinff back the bow. 
 
 snatt. On now to the ram parts I L^ 
 already resting on yonder s'tndard - " "" "°"" 
 sun ;"L ''^''""' ^"' "'^ ^"g"=h bear up. The 
 '■ Corat""? • =*"', "'^-^^ '■'-^'' 'be red hori.or 
 
 ti" niSi^ard'^/errvet^"^^' " "^'^ ^^ 
 freedom !" ^'*- ^o^rage and 
 
 "Harold and Holy Crosse f" ;c ^t, 
 Stil. foiled, Wiiiia. r'so™:s to .hazard TJT, 
 stratagem. He marked that qua ter of L 
 closure which was most remotr f , ^"' 
 
 |J>Ai»V 
 
 'iikfi^i' 
 
STORIES FROM ' TGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 '5 
 
 anon, he recognized amidst the hurtling clamour. 
 In this quarter the palisades were the weakest, and 
 the ground the least elevated ; but it was guarded 
 by men on whose skill with axe and shield Harold 
 placed the firmest reliance— the Anglo-Danes of 
 his old East-Anglian earldom. 
 
 Thither, then, the Duke advanced a column of 
 his heavy armed foot, which, after a short, close 
 and terrible conflict, succeeded in making a wide 
 breach in the breast-works. But that temporary 
 success only animates yet more the exertions of 
 the defenders, and swarming round the breach, 
 and pouring through it, line after line of the foe 
 drop beneath their axes. The column of the heavy 
 armed Normans fall back, down the slopes— they 
 
 give way— they turn in disorder— they retreat 
 
 they fly ; but the archers stand firm, midway on the 
 descent — ihose archers seem an easy prey to the 
 English— the temptation is irresistible. Long 
 galled, and harassed, and maddened by the shafts, 
 the Anglo-Danes rush forth at the heels of the 
 Norman swordsmen, and sweeping down to ex- 
 terminate the archers, the breach that they leave 
 gapes wide. 
 
 "Forward," cries William, and he gallops 
 towards the breach. 
 
 On rush the Norman knights. But Harold is 
 already in the breach, rallying round him hearts 
 eager to replace the shattered breast-works. 
 
■6 STOR.es prom ENCtrsH HISTORY. 
 
 over .he breas the shl j"'r'".' "^'° "o" 
 bom hands h.-s ax:.rspear:^o:f„r„ri 
 
 But a blow from the sword of DeLacv ha. 
 broken down the guardian shield of Hlco^^Thi 
 son of Sweyn ,s strici<en to his knee. 
 
 VV,th lifted blades and swirling maces the 
 Norman kmghts charge through the breach 
 
 Look up, look up, and guard thy head " 
 ones the fatal voice of Haco to the Kin., ^ ' 
 
 Whv'h ,?' u-^ ""' '^'"S '^'''' his flashing eyes 
 Why halts his stride ? Why dron^ tl,» =. 7 
 
 hjs ha,,d? As he raised h:s'hea7o!„ c^me ^ 
 h.ss,ng death-shaft. It smote the lifted face 't 
 crushed into the dauntless eyeball. He reeled 'hi 
 -ggered, he fell back several yards," the ft o 
 his gorgeous standard. <= root or 
 
 .h ,7"V"P"^'« hand he broke the head of the 
 woe ! woe !" rescue I 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 »7 
 
 Rallying himself a moment, he sprang to his 
 feet, clenched his right hand, and fell once more— 
 a corpse. 
 
 At the same moment a rush of horsemen to- 
 wards the standard bore back a line of Saxons, and 
 covered the body of the King with heaps of the 
 slain. 
 
 His helmet cloven in two, his face all streaming 
 with blood, but still calm in its ghastly hues, 
 amidst the foremost of those slain, fell the fated 
 Haco. He fell with his head on the breast of 
 Harold, kissed the bloody check with bloody lips, 
 groaned and died. 
 
 Inspired by despair, with superhuman strength, 
 Gurth, striding over the corpses of his kinsmen, 
 opposed himself singly to the knights. Not one 
 Englishman fled ; all now centring round the 
 standard, they fell, slaughtering if slaughtered. 
 
 Through the crowd, the Normans beheld with 
 admiring awe,— here in the front of their horse, a 
 single warrior, before whose axe spear shivered, 
 helm drooped— there, close by the standard, stand- 
 ing breast-high among the slain, one still more 
 formidable, and even amidst ruin unvanquished. 
 The first fell at length under the mace of Roger 
 de Montgomery. 
 
 Still by the enchanted standard stands the 
 other; still the enchanted standard waves aloft, 
 2 
 
1 8 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 with its brave ensign of the solitary " Fightin 
 Man." gilded by the gems that had flashed in th 
 Crown of Odin. 
 
 "Thine be the honour of lowering that haught 
 flag," cried VVilham, turning to one of his favourit 
 and most famous knights, Robert de Tessin 
 Overjoyed, the knight rushed forth, to fall by th. 
 axe of that stubborn defender. 
 
 " Sorcery," cried Fitzosberne, "sorcery. Thi- 
 is no man. but fiend." 
 
 " Spare him. spare the brave." cried in a breath 
 Bruse. D'Aincourt. and DeGraville. William 
 turned round in wrath at the cry of mercy, and 
 spurrmg over all the corpses, he came to the foot 
 of the standard, and for one moment there was 
 smgle battle between the Knight-Duke and the 
 Saxon hero. \or. even then, conquered by the 
 Norman sword, but exhausted by a hundred 
 wounds, that brave chief fell, and the falchion 
 vamly pierced him. falling. So, last man at the 
 standard, died Gurth." 
 
 The sun had set. the first star was in heaven, 
 the "Fighting Man" was laid low. and on that 
 spot where now, all forlorn and shattered, amidst 
 stagnant water, stands the altar-stone of Battle 
 Abbey, rose the glittering dragon that surmounted 
 the consecrated banner of the Xorman victor. 
 
 Edward Bulvver. Lord Lytton. 
 
 -^^ Harold, The Last of the Saxon Kings.- 
 
 ■CA" 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 '9 
 
 KING RICHARD AND S A LA DIN. 
 
 Note.— Richard Coeur de Lion, with P" ip of France and 
 other European princes went upon the third Crusade, A.D. i tQO. 
 It is during: a truce between the Christian forces and the famous 
 Sultan, Saladiii, that the following event i-. supposed to have 
 taken place. 
 
 " Richard now assumed the foremost place in 
 his troop, aware that Saladin himself was ap- 
 proaching. Nor was it long when, in the centre 
 of his body-guard, surrounded by his domestic 
 officers, and those hideous icgroes who guard the 
 eastern harem, and whos< misshapen forms are 
 rendered yet more frightful by the richness of their 
 attire, came the Soldan, with the look and man- 
 ners of one on whose brow nature had written, 
 This is a King! In his snow-white turban, vest, 
 and white eastern trousers, wearing a sash of 
 scarlet silk, Saladin might have seemed the 
 plainest dressed man in his own guard. But 
 closer inspection discerned in his turban that 
 inestimable gem, which was called by the poets, 
 " The Sea of Light," the diamond on which his 
 signet was engraved, and which he wore in a ring, 
 was probaSIy worth all the jewels of the English 
 crown, and a sapphire, which terminated the hilt 
 of his caujiar, was not of much inferior value. It 
 should be added that to protect him from the dust, 
 which, in the vicinity of the Dead Sea, resembles 
 
20 
 
 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 the finest ashes, or, pernaps, out of oriental pride 
 the Soldan wore a sort of veil attached to hi 
 turban which partly obscured the view of his nobl 
 features. He rode a milk-white Arabian, whicl 
 bore him as if conscious and proud of his nobl 
 burden. 
 
 There was no need of farther introduction 
 The two heroic monarchs, for such they both were 
 threw themselves at once from horseback, and th 
 troops halting and the music suddenly ceasing 
 they advanced to meet each other in profoun( 
 silence, and after a courteous inclination on eithe 
 side, they embraced as brethren and equals. Th 
 pomp and display upon both sides attracted n 
 farther notice — no one saw aught save Richan 
 and Salad in, and they two beheld nothing bu 
 each other. The Soldan was the first to brea 
 silence : ** The Melech Ric is welcome to Saladi 
 as water to this desert ! Will not my brother pas 
 to the tent which his servant lias prepared for him 
 My principal black slave hath taken order for th 
 reception of the Princesses, — the officers of m 
 household will attend your followers, and myse 
 will be the chamberlain of the royal Richard." 
 
 He led the way accordingly to a splendi 
 pavilion, where was everything that royal luxur 
 could devise. De Vaux, \vho was in attendance 
 then removed the long riding-cloak which Richar 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 21 
 
 wore, and he stood before Saladin in the close 
 dress which showed to advantage the strength and 
 symmetry of his person, while it bore a strong 
 contrast to the Slowing robes which disguised the 
 thin frame of the Eastern Monarch. It was 
 Richard's two-handed sword that chiefly attracted 
 the attention of the Saracen, a broad, straight blade, 
 the seemingly unwieldy length of which extended 
 well nigh from the shoulder to the heel of the 
 wearer. 
 
 " Had I not," said Saladin, " seen this brand 
 flaming in the front of the battle, like that of 
 Azrael,^ I had scarce believed that human arm 
 could wield it. Might I request to see the Melech 
 Ric strike one blow with it in peace, and in pure 
 trial of strength ?" 
 
 "Willingly, noble Saladin, "answered Richard, 
 and lovoking round for something whereon to exer- 
 cise his strength, he saw a steel mace, held by one 
 of the attendants, the handle being of the same 
 metal, and about an inch and a half in diameter — 
 this he placed on a block of wood. 
 
 The anxiety cf DeVaux for his master's honour 
 led him to whisper in English — " For the blessed 
 Virgin's sake, beware what you attempt, my liege; 
 your full strength is not as yet returned — give no 
 triumph to the intidel." 
 
 ^Asmel - the Ang-el of Deatli. 
 
22 
 
 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 " Peace, fool !" said Richard, standing firm o 
 his ground, and casting a fierce glance around- 
 " thinkest thou that I can fail in his presence? 
 The glittering broadsword, wielded by both hi 
 hands, rose aloft to the King's left shoulder, circle 
 round his head, descended with the sway of som 
 terrific engine, and the bar of iron rolled on th 
 ground in two pieces, as a woodsman would seve 
 a sapling with a hedgi-g-bill. 
 
 " By the head of the Prophet, a most wondei 
 ful blow," said the Soldan, critically and accuratel 
 examining the iron bar which had been cut asur 
 der ; and the blade of the s\vord was so wel 
 tempered as to exhibit not the least token of havinj 
 suffered by the feat it had performed. He the 
 took the King's hand, and looking on the size an 
 muscular strength which it exhibited, laughed a 
 he placed it beside his own, so lank and thin, s 
 inferior in brawn and sinew. 
 
 " Ay, look well," said DeVaux, in English, " i 
 will be long ere your long jackanapes fingers d 
 such a feat with your fine gilded reaping hoo 
 there." 
 
 "Silence, DeVaux," said Richard; "by oi 
 Lady, he understands or guesses thy meaning- 
 be not so broad, I pray thee." 
 
 The Soldan, indeed, presently said, — " Some 
 thing I would fain attempt— though, wherefor 
 
■C ■' I'iV 
 
 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 23 
 
 should the weak show their inferiority in presence 
 of the strong? Yet, each land hath its own exer- 
 cises, and this may be new to the Melech Ric." — 
 
 So saying, he took from the floor a cushion of 
 silk and down, and placed it upright on one end. 
 
 "Can thy weapon, my brother, sever that 
 cushion?" he said to King Richard." 
 
 " No, surely," replied the King ; " no sword on 
 earth, we ; it the Excalibur of King Arthur, can 
 cut that which opposes no steady resistance to the 
 blow." 
 
 " Mark, then," said Saladin ; and tucking up 
 the sleeve of his gown, showed his arm ; thin 
 indeed, and spare, but which constant exercise had 
 hardened into a mass consisting of nought but 
 bone, brawn and sinew. He unsheathed his 
 scimitar, a curved and narrow blade, which glittered 
 not like the swords of the Franks, but was, on the 
 contrary, of a dull blue colour, marked with 
 millions of meandering lines, which showed how 
 anxiously the weapon had been welded by the 
 armourer. Wielding this weapon, apparently so 
 inefficient when compared to that of Richard, the 
 Soldan stood resting his weight upon his left foot, 
 which was slightly advanced ; he balanced himself 
 a little, as if to steady his aim, then stepping at 
 once forward, drew the scimitar across the cushion, 
 applying the edge so dexterously, and with so 
 
24 
 
 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 little apparent effort, that the cushion seemed 
 rather to iall asunder than to be divided by violence. 
 " It is a juggler's trick," said DeVaux, darting 
 forward, and snatching up the portion of the 
 cushion which had been cut off, as if to assure 
 himself of the reality of the feat, — "there is gram- 
 arye^ in this." 
 
 The Soldan seemed to comprehend him for he 
 undid the sort of veil which he had hitherto v/orn, 
 laid it double along the edge of his sabre, extended 
 the weapon edgeways in the air, and drawing it 
 suddenly through the veil, although it hung on the 
 blade entirely loose, severed that also into two 
 parts, which floated to different sides of the tent, 
 equally displaying the extreme temper and sharp- 
 ness of the weapon, and the exquisite dexterity of 
 him who used it. 
 
 "Now, in good faith, my brother," said 
 Richard, " thou art even matchless at the trick of 
 the sword, and right perilous were it to meet thee ! 
 Still, however, I put some faiih in a downright 
 English blow, and what we cannot do bv sleieht, 
 we eke out by strength." 
 
 Sir Walter Scott. 
 
 ^Gra 
 
 marye — magic. 
 
 i<" ' 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 25 
 
 HOW KING JOHN OF FRANCE WAS 
 
 TAKEN PRISONER AT THE 
 
 BATTLE OF POITIERS. 
 
 Note — In the Battle of Poitiers, 1356, the Eng^lish defeated 
 the French. 
 
 The English continued the pursuit of the enemy- 
 even to the City of Poitiers, where there was great 
 slaughter, both of men and horses, for the inhabi- 
 tants had shut the gates and would suffer none to 
 enter. There was much pressing at this time, 
 through eagerness to take the King ; and those 
 who were nearest to him and knew him, cried out, 
 " Surrender yourself, or you are a dead man." In 
 that part of the field there was a young Knight 
 from St. Orr.er, who had been for three vears in 
 the serviee of the King of Eng'and. He said to 
 the King in good French, "Sire, Sire, surrender 
 yourself." The King, turning to him, asked, 
 " To whom shall I surrender myself? Where is 
 my cousin, the Prince of Wales ? If I could see 
 him, I would speak to him." " Sire," replied the 
 young Knight, " he is not here ; but surrender 
 yourself to me, and I will lead you to him." 
 "Who are you?" said the King. "Sire, I am 
 Denys de Morbeque, a Knight from Artois ; but 
 I serve the King of England, because I cannot 
 belong to France, having forfeited all I possessed 
 
I '■ 
 
 26 
 
 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 there." The King then gave him his right-hand 
 glove, and said, " I surrender myself to you." 
 
 The Prince of Wales asked his two Marshals if 
 they knew anything about the King of France. 
 They replied, " No sir, nothing for a certainty, 
 but we believe he must be either killed or taken 
 prisoner." The Prince, then addressing the Earl 
 of Warwick and Lord Cobham, said, " I beg of 
 you to mount your horses and ride over the field, 
 so that on your return you may bring me some 
 certain news concerning him." 
 
 The two barons at once mounted their horses, 
 and made for a small hillock, that they might look 
 about them. They saw a crowd of men-at-arms 
 on foot, advancing very slowly. The King of 
 France was in the midst of them, and in great 
 danger, for the English and Gascons had taken 
 him from Sir Denys de Morbeque, and were dis- 
 puting who should have him, some bawling out, 
 " It is I that have got him." " No, no," cried 
 others, "we have him." The King, to escape 
 from this perilous situation, said, " I pray you, 
 gentlemen, to conduct me and my son, in a 
 courteous manner, to my cousin the Prince, and 
 do not make so great a riot about my capture, for 
 I am a great lord and I can make you all rich." 
 These words, and others which fell frotr. the King, 
 quieted them a little ; but the disputes were always 
 
STORIES FROxM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 27 
 
 beginning again, and the men did not move a step 
 without rioting. 
 
 When the two barons saw this troop of men, 
 they came down from the hillock, and sticking 
 spurs into their horses, made up to them. They 
 pushed through the crowd by main force, and 
 ordered all to draw aside. They commanded in 
 the name of the Prince that every one should keep 
 his distance, and none approach unless ordered to 
 do so. All then retreated behind the King, and 
 the two barons, dismounting, advanced to the royal 
 prisoner with deep reverence, and conducted him 
 in a peaceable manner to the Prince of Wales. 
 
 Sir Joii:-j Fkoissart. 
 
 THE COURTESY OF THE BLA CK PRINCE 
 
 TO HIS PRISONER, KING JOHN 
 
 OF FRANCE. 
 
 When evening was come, the Prince of Wales 
 gave a supper in his pavilion to the King of 
 France, and to a great many of the Princes and 
 Barons who were prisoners. The Prince seated 
 the King of France and his son, the Lord Philip, 
 at an elevated and well-covered table ; with them 
 were several great Lords. The other Knights and 
 Squires were placed at different tables. 
 
28 
 
 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 The Prince himself served the King's table, as 
 well as the others, with every mark of humility, 
 and would not sit down at it, in spite of all his 
 entreaties for him so to do, saying that he was not 
 worthy of such an honour, nor was it right for him 
 to sit at the table of so great a King, or of so 
 valiant a man as he had shown himself to be that 
 day. He added also with a noble air : " Dear 
 sir, do not make a poor meal because the 
 Almighty God has not granted you your desires in 
 the event of this day : for be assured that my lord 
 and father will show you every honour and friend- 
 ship in his power, and will arrange your ransom so 
 reasonable that you will henceforward always 
 remain friends. I think that you have cause to be 
 glad that the success of this battle did not turn out 
 as you desired ; for you have this day gained such 
 high renown for valour that you have surpassed 
 all the best Knights on your side. I do not, sir, 
 say this to flatter you ; for all those of our side 
 who have seen the actions of each party have 
 allowed this to be your due, and decree you the 
 prize and garland for it." At the end of this 
 speech there were murmurs of praise heard from 
 every one ; and the French said that the Prince 
 had spoken nobly and truly, ana that he would 
 be one of the most gallant princes in Christendom, 
 if God should grant him life to pursue his career 
 of glory. Sir John Froissart. 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 29 
 
 THE KNIGHTS TOMB. 
 
 Where is the grave of Sir Arthur O'Kellyn ? 
 
 Where may the grave of that good man be ? 
 By the side of a spring, on the breast of Hclvellyn, 
 
 Under the twigs of a young birch tree ! 
 The oak that in summer was sweet to hear, 
 And rustled its leaves in the fall of the year. 
 And whistled and roared in the winter alone, 
 Is gone, — and the birch in its stead is grown. — 
 The Knight's bones are dust, 
 And his good sword rust ; — 
 His soul is with the Saints, I trust. 
 
 Samuel Taylor Coleridge. 
 
 THE SURRENDER OF CALAIS, 1347. 
 
 The Siege of Calais lasted a long time, and 
 many noble feats of arms and adventure were done. 
 Several times the King of France tried to raise the 
 siege, but Edward had so guarded the passes that 
 he could not possibly get near the town. The 
 people of Calais all this time suffered very s^reatly 
 from want of food ; and when they found that there 
 were no hope of succour, they begged the Gov- 
 ernor to surrender the place upon condition that 
 their lives were spared. Edward at first was not 
 willing to promise to spare any citizen's life, but at 
 
f 
 
 30 
 
 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 last, the brave Sir Walter Manny persuaded him 
 to pardon all but six. These six were to be chosen 
 from the principal citizens, and they were to come 
 out to the King with their heads and feet b.ir,*, 
 with ropes round their necks, and the keys of the 
 town and castle in their hands. 
 
 Sir Walter Manny returned to the Governor, 
 the LorJde Vienne, who was waiting for him on 
 the battlements, and told him all that the King 
 had said. " I beg of you," said the Governor, 
 " that you will be so good as to wait here a little, 
 while I go and tell all that has passed to the towns- 
 men." He went to the marker-place and caused 
 the bell to be rung ; upon which all the people, 
 men and women, came to the Town-hall. He then 
 told them the answer he had received from the 
 King of England. This news caused the greatest 
 sorrow and despair, so that the hardest heart 
 would have had pity on them. Even the Lord 
 de Vienne wept bitterly. 
 
 After a short time, the most wealthy citizen of 
 the town, Eustace de St. Pierre, stood up and said 
 "Gentlemen, both high and low, it would be a 
 very great pity to suffer so many people to die 
 through famine, if any way could be found to 
 prevent it ; and it would be highly meritorious in 
 the eyes of our Saviour, if such misery could be 
 averted. T have such faith and trust in finding 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 31 
 
 grace before God, if I die to save my townsmen, 
 that I name myself as first of the six." When 
 Eustace had done speaking, they all rose up, and 
 almost worshipped him ; many cast themselves at 
 his feet with tears and groans. Another citizen, 
 very rich and respected, rose up, and said he 
 would be the second to his companion Eustace ; 
 his name was John Daire. After him, James 
 Wisant, who was very rich in merchandise and 
 lands, offered himself as companion to his two 
 cousins ; as did Peter Wisant, his brother. Two 
 others then named themselves, Nvhich completed 
 the number demanded by the King of England. 
 The Lord John de Vienne then mounted his horse, 
 for it was with difficulty that he could walk, and 
 conducted them to the gate. There was the greatest 
 sorrow and lamentation all over the town ; and in 
 such manner were they attended to the gate, which 
 the Governor ordered to be opened, and then shut 
 upon him and the six citizens, whom he led to the 
 barriers, and said to Sir Walter Manny, who was 
 there waiting for him, " I deliver up to you, as 
 Governor of Calais, with the consent of the inhabit- 
 ants, these six citizens, and I swear to you that 
 they were and are at this day, the most wealthy 
 and respectable inhabitants of Calais. I beg of 
 you, gentle sir, that you would have the goodness 
 to beseech the King, that they may not be put to 
 
32 
 
 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 death." " I cannot answer for what the King will 
 do with them," replied wSir Walter, " but you may 
 depend that I will do all in my power to save 
 them." The barriers were opened, when these 
 six citizens advanced towards the pavilion of the 
 King, and the Lord dc Vienne re-entered the town. 
 
 When Sir Walter Manny had presented these 
 six citizens to the King, they fell upon their knees 
 and said, " Most gallant King, see before you six 
 citizens of Calais, who have been rich merchants, 
 and who bring you the keys of the castle and of 
 the town. We surrender ourselves to your abso- 
 lute will and pleasure, in order to save the 
 remainder of the people of Calais, who have 
 suffered much distress and misery. Condescend, 
 therefore, out of your nobleness of mind, to hav, 
 mercy and compassion upon us." All the Barons, 
 Knights and Squires, that were assembled there in 
 great numbers, wept at this sight. The King 
 eyed them with angry looks, for he hated much 
 the people of Calais (for the great losses he had 
 formerly suffered from them at sea), and ordered 
 their heads to be stricken off. All present entreated 
 the King, that he would be more merciful to them ; 
 but he would not listen to them. Then Sir 
 Walter Manny said, " Ah, gentle King, let me 
 beseech you to restrain your anger. People say 
 that you have great nobleness of soul. Do not 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 3^ 
 
 fail to show it in this matter, nor c How anvone to 
 speak ill of you. In this instance, all the world 
 will say you have acted cruelly, if you put to death 
 six as worthy persons who of their own free will 
 have given themselves up to your mercy, in order 
 to save their fellow-citizens." Upon this, the 
 King gave a wink, saying, "Be it so," and 
 ordered the headsman to be sent for, for that the 
 people of Calais had done him so much damage, it 
 was proper they should suffer for it. The Queen 
 of England fell on her knees, and with tears said, 
 " Ah, gentle sir, since I have crossed the sea with 
 great danger to see you, I have asked you one 
 favour ; now, I most humbly ask as a gift, for the 
 sake of the Son of the Blessed Mary, and for your 
 love to me, that you will be merciful to these six 
 men." The King looked at her for some tmie in 
 silence, and then said, «' Ah, lady, I wish that you 
 had been anywhere else than here. You have 
 entreated in such a manner that I cannot refuse 
 you. I therefore give them to you to do as you 
 please with them." 
 
 The Queen conducted tne six citizens to her 
 apartments, and had the halters taken from round 
 their necks, after which she new-clothed them, 
 and served them with a splendid dinner. She then 
 gave each six nobles, and had them escorted out 
 of the camp in safety. Sir John Froissart. 
 3 
 
 I [ 
 
-mm 
 
 34 
 
 STORIES FROM EN'GLISH HISTORY. 
 
 THE BATTLE OF AGINCOURT. 
 
 Fair stood the wind for France, 
 When we our sails advance, 
 Nor now to prove our chance 
 
 Longer will tarry, 
 But putting to the main, 
 At Caux, the mouth of Seine, 
 With all his martial train 
 
 Landed King Harry. 
 
 And taking many a fort. 
 Furnished in warlike sort, 
 Marcheth towards Agincourt 
 
 In happy hour ; 
 Skirmishing day by day 
 With those that stopped his way, 
 Where the French General lay 
 
 With all his power. 
 
 Which in his height of pride 
 King Henry to deride, 
 His ransom to provide, 
 
 To the King sending. 
 Which he neglects the while, 
 As from a nation vile, 
 Yet with an angrj- smile 
 
 Their fall portending. 
 
STORIKS FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 And turning to his men, 
 Quoth our brave Hen. - then, 
 " Though we be o;ic to ten 
 
 Be not amaze ' ; 
 Yet have we well begun, 
 Battles so bravely won 
 Have ever to the sun 
 
 By fame been raised." 
 
 " And for myself," quoth he, 
 "This my full rest shall be 
 England ne'er mourn for me, 
 
 Nor more es'.. zni me. 
 \lctor I will remain. 
 Or on this earth lie slain. 
 Never shall she sustain 
 
 Loss to redeem me. 
 
 Poitiers and Cressy tell 
 
 When most their pride did swell. 
 
 Under our swords they fell. 
 
 No less our skill is, 
 Then when our grandsire great, 
 Claiming the regal seat 
 By many a warlike feat 
 
 Lopped the French lilies." 
 
 The Duke of York so dread. 
 The eager vanward led ; 
 
 35 
 
ttl 
 
 w 
 
 36 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 With the main Henry sped, 
 
 Amongst his henchmen. 
 Exeter had the rear, 
 A braver man not there : 
 Heavens ! how hot they were 
 On the false Frenchmen. 
 
 They now to fight are gone, 
 Armour on armour shone. 
 Drum now to drum did groan, 
 
 To hear was wonder ; 
 That with the cries they make. 
 The very earth did shake ; 
 Trumpet to trumpet spake. 
 
 Thunder to thunder. 
 
 Well it thine age became. 
 Oh noble Erpingham, 
 Which did the signal aim 
 
 To our hid forces. 
 When from a meadow by, 
 Like a storm suddenly, 
 The English archery 
 
 Struck the French horses. 
 
 With Spanish yew so strong, 
 Arrows a cloth-yard long, 
 That like to serpents stung, 
 
 Piercing the weather ; 
 None from his fellow starts, 
 
ST0RIP:S FROII ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 3>1 
 
 But playing manly parts, 
 And like true English hearts 
 Stuck close together. 
 
 When down their bows they threw, 
 And forth their bilbos drew, 
 And on the French they flew, 
 
 Not one was tardy ; 
 Arms were from shoulders sent. 
 Scalps to the teeth were rent, 
 Down the French peasants went, — 
 
 Our men were hardy. 
 
 This while our noble King ; 
 His broad sword brandishing, 
 Down the French host did ding, 
 
 As to o'erwhelm it ; 
 And many a deep wound lent, 
 His arms with blood besprent, 
 And many a cruel dent 
 
 BruisM his helmet. 
 
 Gloucester, that duke so good 
 Next of the royal blood, 
 For famous England stood 
 
 With his brave brother, 
 Clarence, in steel so bright. 
 Though but a maiden knight, 
 Yet in that famous fight, 
 
 Scarce such another. 
 
 
 •I 
 
 l il 
 
 iff 
 
38 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 Warwick in blood did wade, 
 Oxford the foe invade, 
 And cruel slaughter made. 
 
 Still as they ran up : 
 Suffolk his axe did ply, 
 Beaumont and Willoughby 
 Bore them right doughtily, 
 
 Ferrers and Fanhope. 
 
 Upon Saint Crispin's day 
 Was fought this noble fray, 
 Which fame did not delay 
 
 To England to carry ; 
 Oh, when shall English men 
 With such acts fill a pen. 
 Or England breed again 
 
 Such a King Harry? 
 
 Michael Drayton, i 563-1631. 
 
 NorE. — The Battle of Agincourt was fought on St. Crispin's 
 Day, Oct. 25th, 1415, when the English under their King, Henry 
 v., totally defeated a much larger French .\rmy. 
 
 The fifth stanza of this ballad was quoted with fine effect in 
 reference to Baden-Powell, just after the relief of Ladysmith, by 
 the London ^' Stvciator," 
 
STORIES FROM LNGLISH HKTORt. 
 
 39 
 
 THE RESTORATION OF 
 CLIFFORD. 
 
 LORD 
 
 Note. — The strugjjle between the Houses of York and 
 Lancaster for the Eng-lish throne lasted from 1455 to 1485. The 
 emblem of the Yorkists was a white rose, that of the Lancas- 
 trians was a red rose. Hence, this strife was called the Wars of 
 the Roses. 
 
 The following lines are part of a poem celebrating the return 
 of He:iry, Lord Clifford, to his home. Brougham Castle. His 
 father was on the Lancastrian side, and after the Battle of 
 Wakefield, slew the son of the Duke of York, and was himself 
 killed at Towton, 1461. Henry was deprived of his estates and 
 lived as a shepherd until Henry \l\. came to the throne and 
 restored his possessions to him. 
 
 From town to town, from tower to tower, 
 
 The Red Rose is a gladsome flower. 
 
 Her thirty years of winter past. 
 
 The Red Rose is revived at last. 
 
 She lifts her head for endless spring. 
 
 For everlasting blossoming ; 
 
 Both Roses flourish. Red and White* 
 
 In love and sisterly delight 
 
 The two that were at strife are blended, 
 
 And all old troubles now are ended. 
 
 Joy, joy to both ; but most to her 
 
 Who is the flower of Lancaster ! 
 
 ^Henry VH. was descended from John of Gaunt, Duke o»' 
 Lancaster, and by his marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of 
 Edward IV. who was also Duke of York, the rival houses were 
 united. 
 
40 
 
 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 I 
 
 Behold her how she smiles to-day 
 On this great throng, this bright array. 
 Fair gree'ing doth she send to all 
 From every corner of the hall. 
 But cliiefly from above the board 
 Where sits in state our rightful Lord, 
 A Clifford to his own rescored ! 
 
 They came with banner, spear and shidd ; 
 And it was proved in Bosworth field, ^ 
 Not long the Avenger was withstood — 
 Earth helped him with the cry of blood ; 
 St. George^ was for us, and the might 
 Of blessed angels crowned the right. 
 Loud voice the land has uttered forth 
 The loudest in the faithful North. 
 Our fields rejoice, our mountains ring. 
 Our streams proclaim a welcoming ; 
 Our strong abodes and castles see. 
 The glory of their loy Ity. 
 
 William Wordsworth. 
 
 » The Battle of Bosworth Field was foug-ht in 1485. There 
 Henry VII., then Earl of Richmond, " the Avenger," defeated 
 and killed Richard III., the last Yorkist King. 
 
 ■■'St. George, the patron Snint of England. 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 41 
 
 THE ARMADA. 
 
 Attend, all ye who list to hear our noble England's 
 
 praise ; 
 I tell of the thrice-famous deeds she wrougfht in 
 
 ancient days, 
 When that great fleet invincible against her bore 
 
 in vain. 
 The richest spoils of Mexico, the stoutest hearts of 
 
 Spain. 
 
 It was about the lovely close of a warm summer's 
 
 day, 
 There came a gallant merchant-ship full sail to 
 
 Plymouth Bay ; 
 Her crew had seen Castile's black fleet, beyond 
 
 Aurigny's isle,^ 
 At earliest twilight, on the waves lie heaving many 
 
 a mile, 
 At sunrise she escaped their van, by God's especial 
 
 grace, 
 And the tall Pinta till the noon had held her close 
 
 in chase. 
 
 Forthwith a guard at every gun was placed along 
 
 the wall ; 
 The beacon blazed upon the roof of Edgecumbe's 
 
 lofty hall ! 
 
 ^ Aider ney. 
 

 42 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 Many a light fishing bark put out to pry along the 
 
 coast, 
 And with loose rein and bloody spur rode inland 
 
 many a post. 
 
 With his white hair unbonneted, the stout old 
 
 Sheriff comes ; 
 Behind him march the halberdiers ; before him 
 
 sound the drums ; 
 His yeomen round the market cross make clear an 
 
 ample space, 
 For there behoves him to set up the Standard of 
 
 Her Grace. 
 
 And haughtily the trumpets peal, and gaily dance 
 
 the bells, 
 As slow upon the labouring breeze the royal 
 
 blaeon swells. 
 Look how the Lion of the sea lifts up his ancient 
 
 crown, 
 And underneath his deadly paw treads the gay 
 
 lilies down. 
 
 So stalked he when he turned to flight, on that 
 famed Picard field,* 
 
 Bohemia's plume, and Genoa's bow, and Cassar's 
 eagle shield. 
 
 ^Tha Battle of Crecy, in Picardy, 1346. The King' of 
 Bohemia, his son the King of the Roma is, and a body of 
 Genoese bowmen fought on the side of France. 
 
 ik 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 43 
 
 So glared he when at Agincourt in wrath he turn- 
 ed to bay, 
 
 And crushed and torn, beneath his paws, the 
 princely hunters lay. 
 
 Ho, strike the flagstaff deep, Sir Knight ! Ho, 
 
 scatter flowers, fair maids ! 
 Ho, gunners, fire a loud salute ! Ho, gallants, 
 
 draw your blades. 
 Thou sun, shine on her joyously, ye breezes, waft 
 
 her wide. 
 Our glorious Semper Eadem,* the banner of our 
 
 pride. 
 
 The freshening breeze of eve unfurled that banner's 
 
 massy fold ! 
 The parting gleam of sunshine kissed that haughty 
 
 scroll of gold ; 
 Night sank upon the dusky beaeh, and on the 
 
 purple sea, 
 Such night in England ne'er had been, nor e'er 
 
 again shall be. 
 
 From Eddystone to Berwick bounds, from Lynn 
 
 to Milford Bay, 
 That time of slumber was as bright and busy as 
 
 the day ; 
 
 1 Semper Eadem. " Always the same.' 
 
^gJ^J 
 
 44 STORIES FROM KNGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 For swift to east and swift to west the ghastly war- 
 flame spread, 
 
 High on St. Michael's Mount it shone ; it shone 
 on Beachy Head. 
 
 Far on the deep the Spaniard saw, along each 
 southern shire. 
 
 Cape beyond cape, in endless range, those twink- 
 ling points of fire. 
 
 The fisher left his skiff to rock on Tamar's glitter- 
 ing waves. 
 
 The rugged miner poured to war from Mendip's 
 sunless caves ; 
 
 O'er Lougleat's towers, o'er Cranbourne's oaks, 
 the fiery herald flew : 
 
 He roused the shepherds ofSionehenge.the rangers 
 of Beaulieu. 
 
 Right sharp and quick the bells all night rang out 
 from Bristol town. 
 
 And ere the day three hundred horse had met on 
 Clifton down. 
 
 The sentinel on Whitehall gate looked forth into 
 
 the night. 
 And saw o'erhanging Richmond Hill the streak of 
 
 blood-red light ; 
 Then bugle's note and cannon's roar the death-like 
 
 silence broke, 
 
STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 45 
 
 An.i with one start, and with one cry, the royal 
 city woke. 
 
 At once on all her stately gates arose the answer- 
 ing fires ; 
 
 At once the wik' alarum clashed from all her reel- 
 ing spires. 
 
 From all the batteries of the Tower pealed loud 
 
 the voice of fear ; 
 And all the thousand masts of Thai es sent forth a 
 
 louder cheer ; 
 And from the farthest wards was heard the rush of 
 
 hurrying feet. 
 And the broad streams of pikes and flags rushed 
 
 down each roaring street. 
 And broader still became the blaze and louder still 
 
 the din. 
 As fast from every village round the horse came 
 
 spurring in. 
 
 And eastward straight from wild Blackheath the 
 
 warlike errand went, 
 And roused in many an ancient hall the gallant 
 
 Squires of Kent. 
 Southward from Surrey's pleasant hills flew those 
 
 bright couriers forth ; 
 High on bleak Hampstead's swarthy moor they 
 
 started for the north ; 
 
46 
 
 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 
 And on and on, without a pause, untired they 
 
 bounded still ; 
 All night from tower to tower they sprang ; they 
 
 sprang from hill to hill. 
 
 Till the proud Peak unfurled the flag o'er Darwin's 
 
 rocky dales, 
 Till like volcanoes flared to heaven the stormy 
 
 hills of Wales, 
 Till twelve fair counties saw the blaze on Malvern's 
 
 lonely height, 
 Till streamed in crimson on the wind the Wrckin's 
 
 crest of light. 
 Till broad and fierce the star came forth on Ely's 
 
 stately fane. 
 And tower and hamlet rose in arms o'er all the 
 
 boundless plain. 
 
 Till Belvoir's lordly terraces the sign to Lincoln 
 
 sent, 
 And Lincoln sped the message on o'er the wide 
 
 vale of Trent ; 
 Till Skiddaw saw the fire that burned on Gaunt's 
 
 embattled pile, 
 And the red glare on Skiddaw roused the 
 
 burghers of Carlisle. 
 
 Loud Macaulav. 
 
 1 
 
STOKIKS FROM KNCLISH HISTORY. 
 
 THE BLA CK PRINCE A T THE BA TTLE 
 
 OF CRECY. 
 
 Archbishop of Canterbury. — 
 
 Go, my dread lord, to your jrreat-grandsires'' 
 
 tomb, 
 From whom you claim ; invoke his warlike spirit. 
 And your great-uncle's, Kdward the Black Prince, 
 Who on the French ground played a tragedy. 
 Making defeat on the full power of France, 
 Whilst his most mighty father on a hill 
 Stood smiling to behold his lion's whelp 
 Forage in blood of French nobility. 
 O noble English, that could entertain 
 With half their forces the full pride of France, 
 And let another half stand laughing by, 
 All out of work and cold for action. 
 
 The French King. — 
 
 Think we King Harry strong ; 
 And, Princes, look you strongly arm to meet him. 
 The kindred of him hath been fleshed upon us ; 
 And he is bred out of that bloody strain 
 That haunted us in our familiar paths ; 
 
 1 Edward III., father of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, 
 who was the grandfather of Henry V, 
 
48 
 
 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. 
 
 Witness our too much memorable shame 
 
 When Cressy battle fatally was struck, 
 
 And all our princes captived by the hand 
 
 Of that black name, Edward, Black Prince of 
 
 Wales. 
 Whiles that his mountain sire, on mountain 
 
 standing-, 
 Up in the air, crowned with the golden sun, 
 Saw his victorious seed, and smiled to see him 
 Mangle the work of nature, and deface 
 The patterns that by God and by French fathers 
 Had twenty years been made. This is a stem 
 Of that victorious stock ; and let us fear 
 The native mightiness and fate of him. 
 
 "From Henry F." William Shakspere. 
 
 tj 
 
 ENGLAND'S STRENGTH. 
 
 This England never did, nor never shall. 
 Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror, 
 But when it first did help to wound itself. 
 Now these her princes are come home again. 
 Come the three corners of the world in arms. 
 And we shall shock them. Nought shall make us 
 
 rue 
 If England to herself do rest but true. 
 
 William Shakspere.